Manchester East Cobras take National 10U Football Title with thrilling win over Texas

By ALEX HALL
New Hampshire Union Leader

Members of the Manchester East Cobras celebrate after winning a national championship in Florida. (COURTESY)

When the Manchester East Cobras won the American Youth Football 10U Division II state championship earlier this season, coach Matt McDonald emphasized the team had not accomplished anything yet.

He delivered the same message after the Cobras defeated Hartford, Conn., 37-6, to win the regional title and qualify for the AYF’s eight-team national tournament.

When McDonald spoke to his players after the Cobras defeated the Garden Villa (Texas) Giants, 27-26, in the AYF Division II 10U All American national championship game Dec. 8 in Kissimmee, Fla., he gave a different speech.

“After that final game, we accomplished what we came out to do,” McDonald said. “We came down to Florida not to lose….I’m over ecstatic about what the kids were able to accomplish when they put their minds to it.”

The Cobras defeated the CYAA (Fla.) Wolverines, 32-19, in the national quarterfinals before downing the Maryland-based Showcase Sharks, 25-13, in the semifinals, becoming the first New Hampshire team to ever reach an AYF final, according to McDonald.

Manchester East trailed, 26-14, late in the first half of the final before scoring the game’s final two touchdowns and shutting out Garden Villa in the second half.

Shawn O’Neil ran in a 25-yard touchdown and caught a 35-yard TD pass from McDonald’s son, Aiden, in the championship game. Jayden Pares scored the game-winning point when he ran into the end zone from three yards out on the point-after play following Chase Burris’ 15-yard TD run.

In the AYF 10U league, a point-after kick is worth two points and a point-after score on a pass or run is worth one point.

McDonald said his team was outmanned and outgunned in each of its three national-tournament games but it did have the edge in one area.

“They were faster, bigger, stronger but what separated us from them was we were by far the most mentally tough team and we had the most heart of any of the teams,” McDonald said. “We wear teams down mentally and as soon as the mind goes, the body follows soon after that.”

The Cobras finished with a 14-1 overall record and were never scored on in the second half in any of those 15 contests.

McDonald said he believes Manchester East would not have accomplished what it did this season without suffering its lone loss of the season — a 19-6 setback in Week 4 to the Pelham Razorbacks. After the defeat, the Cobras refocused and practiced harder, McDonald said, which paid off when they defeated Pelham, 19-12, to win the state title.

“If it wasn’t for that loss, we wouldn’t be here,” McDonald said.

McDonald said he was in disbelief after the title game ended and he realized what the Cobras had achieved. The moment he celebrated the victory with Aiden is something McDonald will always remember.

“I really try my best to separate the father-son aspect when it comes to coaching,” McDonald said. “To share that with him after the fact and have that father-son moment, it was unbelievable. It’s something we’ll never forget.”

The winners of the 10U, 11U, 12U & 14U games will advance to the 2017 New England Region Champion games to be played Sunday, November 19th at Durfee Field in Fall River, MA.

**The winner of the 13U game will become the 2017 NE Region Champion and advance directly to AYF National Championships the week of December 3rd in Kissimee, FL.

Gate Fee:

General Admission (age 16 and older) - $7.00

Seniors age 62 & over - $5.00

Ages 4 to 15 - $3.00

Age 3 and under - Free

There is no charge for participating players, cheerleaders and coaches with an event pass.

Credit/Debit cards and checkswill notbe accepted for gate entry

Stadium Rules:

Air horns and similar devices are not permitted.

Tailgating in the parking lots is not permitted.

Alcohol is not permitted in the facility and parking lots.

Smoking is not permitted in the facility.

Animals/pets are not permitted in the facility.

Announcing of games will not begin until Noon per city ordinance. There is a residential neighborhood adjacent to the facility.

Remember to treat this facility like it is you own home. If anyone sees any infractions to any of the listed rules or guidelines we ask that you please report it to the press box or the concession stand immediately.

On Sunday, October 29th, the NHYFSC held the 2017 State Cheerleading Competition.

Tammy Gagne, Cheer Coordinator of the NHYFSC is pleased to announce the conference Cheerleading Competition results.

The NHYFSC CONGRATULATE all the cheer squads for a wonderful performance. The cheer squads did a fantastic job!!

Click here to download a list of the 2017 State Cheerleading Champions.

The finalist will move on to compete in the AYC New England Region Championships on November 18, 2017 at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI. The New England Region Competition will include squads from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Squads placing at Regions for their division are eligible to compete at the American Youth Cheer National Competition in Florida in December.

We would like to congratulate all the Tiny Mite teams that participated today. These young athletes showed everyone they are the next generation of cheerleaders.

A Special Shout Out to the Bedford Bulldogs Adaptive Cheer team! Once again bringing the house to their feet and tears to our eyes with an exceptional routine. A fantastic group of athletes proved that nothing can hold you back once you set your mind to it.

For additional information and all the latest news regarding the New England Region Championships visit the New England Region website at www.newenglandregionals.com

The NHYFSC takes Concussions very seriously. Through constant training for our administrators and coaches we feel this will help individuals identify the signs of a concussion.

What is a Concussion? A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. Concussions are caused by a bump or blow to the head. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. You can’t see a concussion. Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days or weeks after the injury. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, seek medical attention right away.

Please click here to download a copy of the CDC Head's Up Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents.

The more administrators, coaches, parents and athletes know about a concussion the better we will be able to keep our children safe.

The NHYFSC advises all associations and parents to take heat and humidity matters into consideration before and at all practices. Associations should be advising all participants on the importance of hydrating before practices and to insure participants are bringing ample amounts of water to practice.

The NHYFSC advises all associations of potential medical hazards from mosquitoes. All parents should take responsibility to avoid mosquitoes by using mosquitoes repellant on their child prior to practice beginning.